Compare Costa Rica Multi-Sport by Singles Travel International vs Arenal Volcano Package: 4 Nights by Project Expedition

Day 1: Arrival, Orientation Walk and Welcome Dinner

Meals: Dinner

Accommodation: Aurola Holiday Inn (Don't be fooled by the name, this is a very nice hotel in a great location!)

Welcome to Costa Rica! A representative from our local tour operator, TO Costa Rica, will meet us upon arrival at Juan Santamaría International Airport outside the main terminal. We transfer to our hotel (approximately 30 minutes) in San Jose, conveniently located in the heart of downtown, within walking distance of most attractions and features an indoor pool, Jacuzzi, business center and a cozy bar.

This afternoon, explore the area, it's safe to walk around and get a feel for Costa Rica. Meet your STI Concierge and enjoy a casual walking tour of San Jose’s pleasant parks, shopping district and some historical sites. Tonight we have a welcome orientation dinner with our Costa Rican hosts.

Introductory walk around is approximately 2-1/2 hours. Please schedule a flight that arrives by 1:00 p.m. on Day 1 in order to be able to attend the San Jose city tour at 3:00 p.m. Otherwise, you may join us later for the welcome dinner.

Day 2: Espiritu Santo Coffee Plantation & Arenal Hot Springs

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: 5 star Tabacon Grand Spa Thermal Resort

Enjoy breakfast at our hotel and then we're off to begin our adventure! First stop along the way we'll visit Espiritu Santo Coffee Plantation to learn all about growing, harvesting and marketing the rich coffee of Costa Rica.

We'll see the coffee in making, starting with the seedlings station where we'll see the veggies garden, continue to “La Casona” where the coffee plant resides in their first year of life, then actually walk through a coffee field! Finally, we stop by the roasting room and of course, the souvenir shop. Lunch will be served at the ranch.

The secrets of a real coffee cup are cheerfully shared at this fine plantation. This tour shows the remarkable tradition and history of coffee growing in Costa Rica.

On the way to La Fortuna, we'll have the chance to buy craft works in one of the many art shops in the town of Sarchi.

We continue to La Fortuna and the Arenal National Park, near the border of Nicaragua, a region possessing beautiful and varied scenery. The lowlands host gushing rivers, hot springs, lagoons and plentiful wildlife. Check into our luxurious resort where we spend the next 2 days exploring and treating our bodies to the relaxing and invigorating powers of the Natural Hot Springs formed by the active, Arenal Volcano. The lake, canopy tours, hot springs, natural reserves and much more await us! If time permits, sneak in a swim in the thermal baths before dinner.

Meet the group for dinner at Ave Del Paraiso (in our hotel), once you are settled in your beautiful room overlooking the surrounding gardens.

Day 3: Regular Sky Tram and Sky Trek Tour (zipline)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: 5 star Tabacon Grand Spa Thermal Resort

Enjoy breakfast in tranquil surroundings before we depart for an adventurous day in the rain forest.

We start our day by walking on the hanging bridges of Arenal- five bridges in total, the longest is around 984 feet. The trails extend for slightly over 3.5 KM, making this tour extremely feasible for everyone.

Next, the slow paced Sky Tram gondolas, designed and built by Doppelmayr (Austria), is an aerial tram with 6 cabins offering a smooth ride through the rain forest, with endless views along the way, so we're able to appreciate the natural beauty that surrounds us on our way to the top. Once at the at the observation deck (1050 meters), we'll be able to enjoy the most magnificent views of rain forest, the peaceful lake, and the majestic volcano Arenal's south face for as long as we'd like.

From there, you'll have two options for returning to the base. The first option is to ride back down the same way you came up, on the Sky Tram. On the ride you will be able to notice how the vegetation varies as the altitude changes once again.The second and more exciting option is to zip your way to the bottom along a series of zip lines. The zip line descent is the best option for those seeking a rush of adrenaline.

Our operators use prestigious Pretzi brand harnesses; they are comfortable and adjustable at the waist and legs. All of the facilities were built and are supervised under strict safety measures. The Sky Trek pulleys were specially designed in hardened steel with two handles. They support 5.000 kilograms. The Sky Trek is a system of 11 cables that allows you to observe the rain forest and its landscape from many different views and positions while offering total security of its modern technology. The trek has 4.5 miles of cables ranging from 99 to 660 feet in length and 66 to 660 feet above ground. It is also comprised of several walking trails through the forest. All together, the Sky Trek tour takes approximately 2 hours and 50 minutes.

Lunch, served at Sky Adventure restaurant and dinner at Ave del Paraiso are included in today's agenda and there is plenty of time for spa activities and relaxing in the thermal hot springs!

Day 4: Arenal Lake Crossing - Monteverde

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: El Establo Mountain Hotel

Enjoy breakfast in tranquil surroundings before we depart for another adventurous day and the infinite beauty at Monteverde Cloud Forest.

Our journey leads us in the direction of Santa Elena & Monteverde area (which means "Green Mountain"). Our unique transfer will be a “lake crossing” form Arenal to Monteverde. We'll be picked up by vans from our hotel to board a 40 minute boat ride in Lake Arenal. On the other side of the lake, we arrive at “Viejo Arenal” and ride for approximately 2.5 hours to our hotel in Monteverde.

Breathtaking view of the Gulf of Nicoya and the islands below will accompany us while ascending the hills. The Monteverde reserve was founded in 1951 by a group of North American (Quakers) who live in a secluded on 1400 meter high plateau. Although some of the original virgin forest was cleared for dairy and coffee farming, the founders’ environmental consciousness, together with help from private organizations, founded a biological reserve that hosts one of the richest ecological systems in the country.

Lunch and dinner will be served at our hotel. Our STI Concierge has prepared some fun activities for our group.

Day 5: Monteverde Cloud Forest

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: El Establo Mountain Hotel

The Monteverde cloud forest tour will give us the opportunity to learn about the Monteverde rain forest's magnificent ecosystem. A walk through a cloud forest reveals a lush green garden of mosses, ferns, flowers and epiphytes growing thickly on every tree. Clouds drift in and settle among the slopes, giving the continuous moisture required for such exuberant plant growth. Dangling roots and vines sweep across the trails. The air is rich with the sounds of birds and the occasional scurrying of small mammals on the forest floor and from time to time with a howler monkey roar.

Lunch and dinner will be served at our hotel. Our STI Concierge has prepared some fun activities for our group.

Day 6: White Water River Rafting at Rio Tenorio - Tamarindo

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Accommodation: Tamarindo Diria Hotel & Beach Resort

Enjoy an early, mountain air breakfast at our hotel this morning.

READY for a huge adventure? We'll give you a chance to test your courage on the rollicking rapids of the upper Tenorio River in Guanacaste. Plenty of excitement awaits us as we plunge through twists, turns and drops down 8 miles of intense, challenging rapids. The Tenorio River has everything a rafter desires, including a one-of-a-kind Class V 12-foot drop! For rafters, this is a must-run river. The Guanacaste region features a distinctive dry tropical climate and remains largely undiscovered by most visitors. Yet it offers stunning natural treasures—including seven national parks and three wildlife reserves that make this region a magical place to enjoy the wildlife and scenery of the Tenorio.

Lunch is provided at the end of our tour before we continue to Tamarindo.

Guanacaste's sun-kissed coastline is home of Tamarindo, the most developed beach on the Nicoya Peninsula and one of Costa Rica's best-known surf spots. The surfer Mecca in the bay of Tamarindo has a funky bohemian vibe and offers one of the best nightlife scenes and international quality restaurants; Located only 1-hour drive away from the international airport of Liberia, Tamarindo is also easily accessible from North American and European cities. With an assortment of excellent beaches extending to both sides of Tamarindo, the bustling beach town is a strategic location. Called by Forbes magazine, Costa Rica’s most popular beach, the town has a mixture of high-end shopping, dining, and nightlife opportunities combined with Costa Rican flavor.

NOTE: Our estimated driving time is 4 hours (not including the tour time).

Dinner this evening is on our own. Now that we've become well acquainted, let's hit he town for dinner and perhaps a bit of salsa! Our STI Concierge is ready and willing to teach us the steps.

Day 7: Day at leisure to enjoy the beach and surroundings Tamarindo

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Tamarindo Diria Hotel & Beach Resort

Fresh and varied choices are endless at the multi-station buffet in the Diria Restaurant at our hotel.

Today is he perfect day for the beach, learn to surf, try horseback riding on the beach or shop! Our STI Concierge is filled with ideas for filling your day.

Return to the hotel for dinner with friends (at our own expense). Maybe just a pizza at Nari or gourmet fare at Matapalo, dining as the sun sets over the west. Whatever your desire, Tamarindo awaits us.

Day 8: Tamarindo - Kayak Tour - Optional Farewell Sunset Cruise/Dinner/Drinks

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Accommodation: Tamarindo Diria Hotel & Beach Resort

Fresh and varied choices are endless at the multi-station buffet in the Diria Restaurant at our hotel.

Our kayak tour is a 2-hour excursion in the Las Baulas National Estuary with a naturalist and bilingual guide. We enter the estuary one hour before high tide and return about one hour after it for the most comfortable ride. Silently gliding through the shade of the mangrove trees in your kayak is the best way to experience the mangrove forest and the abundant wildlife that awaits you.

Who would believe it's our last night in Costa Rica, what an exhilarating vacation! Gaze off the bow of our private catamaran with a cold tropical drink as you scan the seas for dolphins, sea turtles, flying fish or even a breaching whale. Stop in a tranquil bay, drop anchor and frolic in the blue Pacific. Snorkel in the bay or run down the deserted white sand beach while the crew prepares a feast (BBQ chicken, pasta salad, fruit, chips, pico de gallo, guacamole, homemade chocolate chip cookies, local beers, tequila, whiskey, smoothies, juice, Pepsi). Listen to the waves slide along the giant catamaran as the sun sets, illuminating the clouds left in the sky. Bring your camera and capture the moment with your new friends.

SUNSET CRUISE WITH BBQ DINNER AND OPEN BAR - $75

The sun sets early in Guanacaste, let's make the most of our last night in Costa Rica!

Day 8: Tamarindo - Liberia International Airport Transfer, Trip Conclusion

Meals: Breakfast

This morning after breakfast, we will provide a local transfer to the Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport for your flight back to the US. Say “hasta luego”, until we meet again on another incredible Singles Travel International Adventure!

Note: Make your return flight departure after 2:00 p.m. to take advantage of our group transfer.

Itinerary is subject to change at the discretion of our local operators without compensation. Singles Travel International is not responsible for the consequences of any changes.

Day 1 - San Jose

One of our drivers will meet you at Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) in order to drive you to the Arenal Volcano National Park Region; the transportation to Arenal takes about 3 hours.Spas. After check in you will have the evening off for optional activities as enjoying the pool or take a massage at Luna Spa with special deals and discounts for our guests Lodging at Casa Luna Hotel

Day 2 - San Jose de Alajuela - Hiking at Arenal Hanging Bridges

Hiking at Arenal Hanging Bridges. Select one tour for Day 2: Option 1/ Arenal Hanging Bridges: This is one of the most popular tours in the area, starts at 8:00 am, and is ideal for hikers who would like to admire the characteristics of the tropical rainforest.Caving at Venado Caves. Select one tour for Day 2: Option 2 / Venado Caves: Go into the insides of the earth with this tour. The tour begins at 8:00 am, and underground trails will lead us through grottos and chambers exploring a world indifferent to light. With flashlights to lighten up our way, we will enter into this labyrinth of ancient underground rivers and sea beds, all exposed now after thousands of years. Live a unique experience in Costa Rica and get ready to get wet, dirty and see this different world that will astound you with a variety of emotions.White Water Rafting at Balsa River. Select one tour for Day 2: Option 3 / Whitewater Rafting Class II & III: If you have sense of adventure and fun then rafting will be the perfect activity for you. This trip begins at 10:00 am, and you will paddle through 10 kilometers of a beautiful section of the Balsa River with over 20 safe and fun Class II and III rapids while you enjoy the natural beauty of the rainforest that surrounds it. Upgrades for class III, IV or V in other rivers are available with extra charge.Eco Tour. Select one tour for Day 2: Option 4 / Nocturnal Natural Experience: Ideal for those who want to take advantage of every minute in Costa Rica, discovering some of the country’s nocturnal wonders in a night walk. We will begin our tour in a small town known as La Tigra, located just 30 minutes from La Fortuna. Once we arrive we will take the trail in to a small patch of rainforest in the process of regeneration with some mirrored lakes which facilitate wildlife observation. You can expect to see species like nocturnal birds and mammals, insects, amphibians, bats, and more. The trail will go around the mirrored lakes to the frog sanctuary, which is an area dedicated to the regeneration and natural reproduction of frog species. Here you will discover a large amount of species such as the dart frog and the bull frog, the smallest and largest species in Costa Rica, as well as the Red Eyed Tree Frog, and the Glass Frog. After the tour, a typical Costa Rican dinner prepared on a wood burning stove will await us. We will enjoy our dinner viewing the lights of the valleys of San Carlos. Afterwards we will return to La Fortuna. Lodging at Casa Luna Hotel

Day 3 - San Jose

Breakfast will be served between 7:00am and 9:00amLeisure. La Fortuna is the best area in Costa Rica for activities & tours; you will have the day off to do optional activities with extra cost, like our special trip to the Rio Celeste & Tenorio Volcano. You can also explore the local town of La Fortuna, go shopping and enjoy many of the other activities that are available. Lodging at Casa Luna Hotel

Day 4 - San Jose - Ziplining

Ziplining. After breakfast, we will go ziplining along seven cables with a full distance of 1.7 miles and lengths from 400 feet to 3280 feet. This is an incredible experience to quite literally soar through the canopy of the trees, where you can get a new perspective of the jungle.Local Flavor. Next, visit a representation of a Maleku Indigenous Village, members of a tribe dressed in traditional clothes greet you with a refreshing beverage and teach you about their culture, language and traditions. They share stories about animals and the environment, expressing their gratitude for nature. You can then enjoy the butterfly garden or have the choice of a self guided walk to La Fortuna Waterfall.Hiking at Arenal Volcano. In the afternoon, you will be greeted by your guide aprox at 03:10 pm at the front desk, to visit the Arenal Volcano National Park. Here, we will walk through primary and secondary forests (approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes), where we will reach an old lava flow that was formed in 1992, and observe some animals and plants. On clear days, you will enjoy incredible views of the impressive Arenal Volcano, Arenal Lake, The Tilarán mountain range, and Cerro Chato Hill. Hot Springs. At the end of the day, the perfect place to relax will be at the Arenal Paradise Hot Springs, including a dinner served at the onsite Restaurant. At about 9:00 pm you will be picked up to return to the hotel. Lodging at Casa Luna Hotel

Day 5 - San Jose

Today, you have the shuttle back to the Juan Santamaria International Airport in Alajuela at 8:00 am. Please consider this transfer takes about 3 hours to the airport, and you must be there at least 3 hours earlier your flight time for checking in; if you require a transportation on a different time we can arrange a private transportation for some extra bucks.